Requisition ID: req51378
Job Title: MEAL Sr.Coordinator
Sector: Monitoring & Evaluation
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: Yes
Location: Gadaref, Sudan
Work Arrangement: In-person
Job Description
IRC restarted operations in Sudan in November 2019 after successfully obtaining re-registration in Khartoum with the transitional government and launching initial programs to support displaced populations in urban settings around Khartoum and other states such as Gadaref, Blue Nile, South Kordofan. Sudan is currently experiencing large-scale humanitarian need across the country and multiple challenges that include macroeconomic crisis, armed conflicts and displacement, protracted refugee situations, and natural disasters, which exacerbated following the eruption of a conflict in April 2023 which resulted in more 8 million people displaced within the country and around 1.5 million people to the neighboring countries.
In response to growing needs over the last year, the IRC developed an emergency response plan, adapted its implementation modality and expanded its geographical coverage and programs to include new states such as Al-Jazera, White Nile and River Nile, in addition to Port Sudan (logistical presence), delivering life-saving services under the sectors of Health and nutrition, environmental health/WASH, protection (CP and WPE), and economic recovery and development/livelihoods. The IRC operates through both direct and indirect implementation modalities.
The IRC currently has six field bases in Gedaref, Blue Nile, White Nile, River Nile, Port Sudan, South Kordofan and AlJazera states (the last two are currently inaccessible) in addition to the head office in Khartoum (temporary relocated to Gadaref state due to the conflict). The IRC will continue providing emergency response in addition to strengthening ongoing programming in all accessible states.
Main Purpose of Job:
Reporting to the Deputy Director for Programs (DDP) and technically supported by the Regional Measurement Advisor, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Sr.Coordinator works in close collaboration with program, grants and support teams to optimize monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning capacities and opportunities of the IRC mission in Sudan to ensure high-quality programming for the clients we serve and support the global ambitions of IRC Strategy 100, especially the Data Ambition, the Country Strategic Action Plan and emergency response plan.
To this end, the MEAL Sr.Coordinator is responsible to ensure that a monitoring, evaluation and accountability and data management system is in place, sufficiently resourced and successfully implemented from collection to visualization, and to use and that MEAL data is contributing to improved learning and program quality. The MEAL Sr.Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that MEAL principles and standards are integrated in every step of the project cycle, as per IRC’s corporate guidelines and contributes to the implementation of the Country Strategic Action Plan and Strategy 100 in addition to the emergency response plan. In support of these goals, the Sr.coordinator provides vital technical assistance, capacity sharing, individual mentoring, supervision and training to IRC and Partners MEAL staff.
Duties & Responsibilities of Job:
Strategic Leadership and Partnership
• Establish and drive common strategies and approaches to the country’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Accountability processes that reflect and contextualize Strategy 100 and the Country Strategic Action Implementation Plan in addition to the emergency response plan, and ensure that the MEAL structure is fit for this purpose.
• Lead all aspects of MEAL (including client feedback mechanisms) functions across multiple sectors and multiple geographical areas/ large portfolio and or complex environment including emergency response.
• Develop, coordinate and strengthen capacity sharing partnerships with MEAL counterparts of partner agencies, local organizations and government.
• Represent the IRC on MEAL at internal and external meetings, forums, and other events.
• Champion design, access and use of data by leaders and partners for shared learning, adaptation and evidence-based decision-making.
• Shape and implement MEAL systems and approaches that meet IRC standards and practices, that meet project and program needs, enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors, and foster program learning.
Reinforce integration of cross-sectoral priorities in MEAL, including gender, protection, safeguarding, disaster risk reduction, Diversity-Equality-Inclusion and Do No Harm.
Technical Oversight
• Provide technical leadership for a strong monitoring system and processes throughout the project cycle from the design, implementation to close-out and learning including:
• Using learning and evidence from internal and external sources including previous projects to inform proposal design and Theory of Change.
• Developing and operationalizing, logical frameworks, M&E/MEAL plans, data collection tools, processes for data management, client feedback approaches, quality checks and audits, and data visualization.
• Developing and advocating for adequate M&E/MEAL budget and staffing structure for all projects.
• Producing high-quality data, analysis, reports, presentations, and dashboard of key findings that ease and foster learning and decision-making and share in key meetings such as project cycle meetings and strategic senior management team (SMT) meetings.
• Provide technical leadership for the design, method, and conduct of surveys such as baseline and end line, and the commission of evaluations and surveys as required in coordination with program coordinators, technical advisors, and external partners where vital.
• Lead and advocate for the expansion of standard mobile data technology and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization.
• Provide technical support to IRC’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.
Human Resources
• Promote the growth and development of others in IRC teams and partners: Assess proficiencies; develop and lead targeted learning and training strategy (based on the IRC MEAL Handbook). In particular, coach, mentor and support M&E/MEAL staff, provide vital tools and resources, as well as on the job training.
• Supervise medium to large sized MEAL team across multiple sectors and geographical areas: Set clear performance objectives; manage staff work plans; establish regular performance reviews; champion a positive working environment for professional development; foster an inclusive and respectful team climate, where all staff are valued and respected and can contribute to their maximum potential.
• Lead the recruitment of country MEAL staff, TTA’s, consultants and, support their onboarding.
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Required Qualifications, Experience & Skills
• A University degree in a relevant subject area (statistics, monitoring & data management, social science, public health, economic development, or a related field) – a technical degree together with additional relevant work experience may substitute for education.
• A minimum 8 years of working experience at high level within Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and learning-related functions.
• A strong understanding of accountability and capacity to provide technical oversight and support for design of Client Feedback Systems.
• Leadership experience and proven technical skills in setting up quality M&E/MEAL system that leads to evidence-based decision-making for multi-sectorial and multi-donor funded programs.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods together with strong presentation and reporting skills;
• Strong management and social skills and proven track record to work with diverse groups of people in a multicultural environment.
• Self-motivated with excellent organization, planning, and analytical skills – able to work without close supervision, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking.
• Technical experience in Statistics, electronic data collection, sampling, evaluation and research methodologies.
• Proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, CommCare, ODK Collect are crucial as well as proficiency with Microsoft Excel; SPSS, SATA or other similar software.
• Knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi or GIS software are additional assets.
• A strong understanding of accountability and proven ability to build Client Feedback Systems is a distinct advantage.
• Willingness to travel to various regional and field-level offices, as needed;
• Fluency in English (written and speaking).
Working environment:
The security situation in Sudan remains unstable following the current political crisis and subsequent weekly protests organized in Khartoum and other parts of the country. There is extreme economic hardship currently experienced by the local communities exacerbated by volatility of the local currency due to high inflation and high youth unemployment. The high costs of fuel, medical care and shortages of necessities like bread, water have all impacted negatively on the welfare of the communities. The situation therefore remains tense and unpredictable; other concerns include high criminality rate, presence of armed troops, and looting.
This position will be based in Khartoum office with 40% travel to the field location in Gedaref, Blue Nile, South Kordofan and other locations within Sudan as will be required from time to time.
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